Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-03-16
So. Patfick,s Day.
WASHINGTON, March Is, 1887.

To the Editor of THE EVENING STAR:
The announcement in THE STAR of this evening
that there win be no public Unconstitutional, in
other words, no general parade-by the Irish
American societies OF this city On St. Patrick's
day recalls the fact that a generation ago. when
our citizens OF Irish birth and extraction were not
so numerous as they are now, the ume-honored
festival was celebrated with a religious and pa
trotic fervor which clearly demonstrated that the
love OF the Old Land and the dear memories that
cluster around 1t then warmed the hearts of the
sons and daughters of Erin. Is that love growing
cod? Are those memories fading in the hearts
Patrick'S day at the national capital should be
permitted to pass without a public celebration
and believed not The failure this year to have an
appropriate civic celebration Of the day is no
doubt attributable to the want or timely concerted
whose members revere the memory OF Ireland'S
patron saint and are devoted friends and support
ers OF IrelandS holy cause.
Whether st. Patrick was an IriShman or a
Frenchman, ScOtchman or WelShman, Cor
| nishman or aDutchman-nO matter where or when
his eyes first opened to the light OF this wOrld-it
Will not be denied that Ireland was the fruitful
field OF his wondrouS labOrS that he was her great
evangelizer, that he loved and blessed her. and
that, under Gods benediction, he lifted her from
the gloomy depths OF paganism to the shining
heights OF Christianity!
And whatever the narrow minded or ill,informed
may say OF Ireland'S present struggle for home
rule, intelligent and fair-minded people of every
civilized nation under the sun, and especially the
enIlgnltUcu dUu ScutEOuS peOplc Oh the UQlVeU
States, will cheerfuly admit that Ireland. like
America, possesses within herself all the elements
that cOnduce TO the strength and prosperity OF q
nation, and that, after more than seven centuries
OF miSrule (having in the meanwhile helped to free
this land OF ours and to vindicate the honor and
integrity of the starry f1ag, 1t is about time that
herself, at least in matters OF local concern. as
Gladstone thinks she ought to have and as Par
nell says she shall have.
In view OF what is above stated, st. Patrick's
day has two-fold character; IT. is primarily re-
ligious festival and, secondly, national holiday.
In both aspects 1t Is and should be celebrated the
world over, for religion and patriotism go hand-in-
hand together, as he who is true to GOd can never
be false 70 country.
In this city old St. Patrfck's church was FORM
erly, as the new st. Patrick's will be tomorrow,
the grand center OF attraction on IrelandS glorious
societies OF the Oden time always attended the re-
ligiOus sOlcmnittes first, and heard the panegyric
OF the Saint, usually pronounced by some dis
tinguiShed pulpit orator OF Irish birth or extrac-
ton. Then followed the parade, in which brilliant
regaliaS flashed in beauty amid the green, while
the sun-burst and the stars gracefully blended,
as they had often blended before In many field
made memorable by American and Irish valor,
and the air was vocal with the sweet and patriotic
and son OF an Irishman wore sprig OF shamrock
on the lapel OF his coat or in the band Of his hat
The dear little shamrock,
Ihe FAIR little shamrock,
The green immortal shamrock"
And then, tOo,-One OF the most beautiful Incl
dents OF the day-as the long and brilliant line
fares the little orphans OF STAINS and St.Josepns
aSylumS were remembered with generous Offer
ings. After the shades Of evening had gathered in
banquet halls the gorieS OF the day were recalled
in song and story, and sparkling wit and humOr
made the hours fly by on rosy wings. The Hiber-
MAN organizations had their festive boards. at
which the shamrock was drowned in the flowing
bowl, and st. Patrick's Temperance society had
theirs, in which the bright little emblem was
freely Sprinked with cold water, and the praises
OF Father Mathew were mingled with those OF St.
Patrick.
In those good old days, when the festival was
thus observed with religious fervOr and patriotic
enthusiasm, every one, whose heart was glowing
with love Tor the Green Isle, seemed to echo the
sentiments of one OF our Washington poets-Mr. T..
s. DOnOhO:
BLOW freely blow. We winds Of March,
And wave We banners fair.
And peal We joyous trumpet notes
Through all the sunny air.
BE glad ye hearts OF valiant men,
Ie rosy maidens smile.
And welcome back to memory,
The Saint of Erin's Isie!"
And thus should it ever be- in the words of him
who pencils these hurried lines
"While Erin like star shall rise
Above the gloom of ages.
And saints who people now her skies.
Shall bless her braves and sages!
Her Ancient Harp attuned q ain,
Sha ii no more breathe in sadness,
But Ill Its loud exultant strain,
The world will Join with gladness?"
F. Mon.